The Supreme Court today (19th August) directed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to investigate the death of actor Sushant Singh Rajput. The judgement, which was awaited with bated breath by a large section of the public alleging foul play in the alleged suicide, was delivered today at 11 a.m.
The Maharashtra government was defending the investigation carried out by the state police and told the apex court that there was no need for the CBI to investigate. However, the Centre and the Bihar police had demanded a CBI enquiry. The CBI registered a case against Rhea Chakraborty and her family members after Sushant’s father filed an FIR in Patna, accusing Rhea of abetment to suicide. She had filed a petition in the Supreme Court to allow her to depose in Bombay only. The Bihar police, after registering the FIR of Sushant’s father, had sought Rhea’s presence in Patna for interrogation. Rhea had also sought CBI enquiry into the case.
The court asked the Maharashtra police and the Bihar police to assist the CBI in the investigation. It has asked the Maharashtra police to hand over all the evidence in the case to the CBI. The CBI has already formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) which will begin its investigation in the case in Bombay. The team, comprising two SPs and one investigating officer, will reportedly reach Bombay tomorrow (20th). Incidentally, the apex court remarked that the case records do not prima facie suggest any wrongdoing by the Bombay police. It also approved the Patna police’s move to register an FIR based on the complaint of Sushant’s father.